Roughly 20-25 minutes, if not committed on another rescue job. and then another one would have to come out from somewhere else, but as this is one of the busiest areas in the country for coastal use, there is evry possibility that any other chopper would never have been there in time, especially as the tide was coming in.

I trust that the gentleman who was hit by the digger will make a speedy and excelllent recovery and that the HSE will be doing a thorough investigation into what happened.

On a lighter side, I trust this mans name was not 'doug' = 'dug'

Roughly 20-25 minutes, if not committed on another rescue job. and then another one would have to come out from somewhere else, but as this is one of the busiest areas in the country for coastal use, there is evry possibility that any other chopper would never have been there in time, especially as the tide was coming in.
I trust that the gentleman who was hit by the digger will make a speedy and excelllent recovery and that the HSE will be doing a thorough investigation into what happened.
On a lighter side, I trust this mans name was not 'doug' = 'dug'Micke12

saildorset wrote:
Paramedics were on scene and dealing with casualty. I'm sure Dorset County Hospital by land ambulance would have sufficed. Still the campaigners rant.

Can't help but to agree with you there Saildorset. Suspect the problem was getting the injured up the quay wall, but the standard Fire & Rescue service have dealt with worse and why the specialist unit sent from Poole? Suspect the injured was already at Sothhampton hospital by the time they arrived!

[quote][p][bold]saildorset[/bold] wrote:
Paramedics were on scene and dealing with casualty. I'm sure Dorset County Hospital by land ambulance would have sufficed. Still the campaigners rant.[/p][/quote]Can't help but to agree with you there Saildorset. Suspect the problem was getting the injured up the quay wall, but the standard Fire & Rescue service have dealt with worse and why the specialist unit sent from Poole? Suspect the injured was already at Sothhampton hospital by the time they arrived!Tinker2

blue78 wrote:
I've seen these guys working all week, I could see that this was an accident waiting to happen!!

Did they have a Banksman?

What are they doing?

[quote][p][bold]shy talk[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]blue78[/bold] wrote:
I've seen these guys working all week, I could see that this was an accident waiting to happen!![/p][/quote]Did they have a Banksman?[/p][/quote]What are they doing?Weston7

What i don't understand is, the Portland coastguard helicopter base is due to close in 2017. Surely no one believes that the Cameron Colation will still be in power by then, so surely the other lot who'll inevitably be in office by then could rescind the closure?

What i don't understand is, the Portland coastguard helicopter base is due to close in 2017. Surely no one believes that the Cameron Colation will still be in power by then, so surely the other lot who'll inevitably be in office by then could rescind the closure?arlbergbahn

Why did a rope rescue team have to come from Poole or Weymouth for that matter, There is a Coastguard rope rescue team of 12 on portland also a team in wyke , these teams are Coastguard trained and certificated to the highest level for cliff rescue paid for by the goverment as they come under the ministry of transport , WHY are we paying top dollar for dorset fire service to attend these rescues when there is rescue teams on the doorstep ? WHY ARE WE PAYING TWICE ? If the waste was stopped it would save enough to keep the helo at portland Mr Drax should be looking from this angle,,,,,,,

Why did a rope rescue team have to come from Poole or Weymouth for that matter, There is a Coastguard rope rescue team of 12 on portland also a team in wyke , these teams are Coastguard trained and certificated to the highest level for cliff rescue paid for by the goverment as they come under the ministry of transport , WHY are we paying top dollar for dorset fire service to attend these rescues when there is rescue teams on the doorstep ? WHY ARE WE PAYING TWICE ? If the waste was stopped it would save enough to keep the helo at portland Mr Drax should be looking from this angle,,,,,,,chesil beach

arlbergbahn wrote:
What i don't understand is, the Portland coastguard helicopter base is due to close in 2017. Surely no one believes that the Cameron Colation will still be in power by then, so surely the other lot who'll inevitably be in office by then could rescind the closure?

Wishful thinking I reckon.

The contract has been signed with Bristows I believe and replacement helicopters ordered, role specific so most likely it would cost more to withdraw from the deal than to stick with it.

Sadly the current helicopter will go. I watched the helicopter launch for yesterdays rescue, it will be missed.

[quote][p][bold]arlbergbahn[/bold] wrote:
What i don't understand is, the Portland coastguard helicopter base is due to close in 2017. Surely no one believes that the Cameron Colation will still be in power by then, so surely the other lot who'll inevitably be in office by then could rescind the closure?[/p][/quote]Wishful thinking I reckon.
The contract has been signed with Bristows I believe and replacement helicopters ordered, role specific so most likely it would cost more to withdraw from the deal than to stick with it.
Sadly the current helicopter will go. I watched the helicopter launch for yesterdays rescue, it will be missed.Laadeeda

As a Portlander now resident in the North of England for several years, I find it sad that the helicopter will eventually be withdrawn. It has real value in its current location and I suspect this will only be fully realised once it has gone and something disastrous happens, what a huge mistake it will have been to get rid of it. Talking of helipcopters, I can't help thinking back growing up in the 1970's listening to the Naval helicopters, the Wasps and the Sea Kings flying all hours of the night and the old Wessex helicopters carrying out search and rescue duties. Sad so much has gone. So called progress and cost cutting apparently.

As a Portlander now resident in the North of England for several years, I find it sad that the helicopter will eventually be withdrawn. It has real value in its current location and I suspect this will only be fully realised once it has gone and something disastrous happens, what a huge mistake it will have been to get rid of it. Talking of helipcopters, I can't help thinking back growing up in the 1970's listening to the Naval helicopters, the Wasps and the Sea Kings flying all hours of the night and the old Wessex helicopters carrying out search and rescue duties. Sad so much has gone. So called progress and cost cutting apparently.topsy2

topsy2 wrote:
As a Portlander now resident in the North of England for several years, I find it sad that the helicopter will eventually be withdrawn. It has real value in its current location and I suspect this will only be fully realised once it has gone and something disastrous happens, what a huge mistake it will have been to get rid of it. Talking of helipcopters, I can't help thinking back growing up in the 1970's listening to the Naval helicopters, the Wasps and the Sea Kings flying all hours of the night and the old Wessex helicopters carrying out search and rescue duties. Sad so much has gone. So called progress and cost cutting apparently.

I agree entirely topsy2, its all so sad but it seems things will only get worse unless people realise that continuing to vote for the 3 major parties is just sending our country further & further down the sinkhole. Its long due time for a radical change in the way Britain is governed.

[quote][p][bold]topsy2[/bold] wrote:
As a Portlander now resident in the North of England for several years, I find it sad that the helicopter will eventually be withdrawn. It has real value in its current location and I suspect this will only be fully realised once it has gone and something disastrous happens, what a huge mistake it will have been to get rid of it. Talking of helipcopters, I can't help thinking back growing up in the 1970's listening to the Naval helicopters, the Wasps and the Sea Kings flying all hours of the night and the old Wessex helicopters carrying out search and rescue duties. Sad so much has gone. So called progress and cost cutting apparently.[/p][/quote]I agree entirely topsy2, its all so sad but it seems things will only get worse unless people realise that continuing to vote for the 3 major parties is just sending our country further & further down the sinkhole. Its long due time for a radical change in the way Britain is governed.mumsnuffkn

If the Portland base is axed, emergencies in Dorset will be attended by helicopters from Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire or Culdrose, Cornwall

Please,please Dorset Echo. If you are going to support the Oortland helicopter then you MUST get your facts correct. The SAR aircraft at Culdrose is also closing in 2016.

If the Portland base is axed, emergencies in Dorset will be attended by helicopters from Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire or Culdrose, Cornwall
Please,please Dorset Echo. If you are going to support the Oortland helicopter then you MUST get your facts correct. The SAR aircraft at Culdrose is also closing in 2016.marabout

marabout wrote:
If the Portland base is axed, emergencies in Dorset will be attended by helicopters from Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire or Culdrose, Cornwall

Please,please Dorset Echo. If you are going to support the Oortland helicopter then you MUST get your facts correct. The SAR aircraft at Culdrose is also closing in 2016.

Portland chopper going in 2017 - Culdrose chopper going in 2016 - this means that most of southern England will be serviced by one helicopter - Lee-On-Solent after 2017. Note I say most, not all. But for one or two helicopters to cover the whole of the south coast from Margate in the east to Penzance in the west, a total distance of 355 miles is disgusting. One or two emergency call-outs at the same time and we have nothing left to call upon.

I am not one to be open about doom and gloom, but I can see this service cut costing many many lives, both on land and at sea, but mostly at sea. At the moment, if I get into difficulties at sea in this area, I am certain that the Portland chopper will be there within maximum 15 minutes from when they are tasked, whereas, for the Lee-On-Solent chopper to get to say West Bay or Lyme Regis will take 35 minutes plus, just in flying time. Then the helicopter would only have very limited flying time remaining in fuel when it does get to the emergency. Can anyone tell me what the bingo time would be for the helicopter from Lee-On-Solent once it arrived on station at say Lyme Regis. These things have not been thought out properly by the powers that be, their only interest is cut, cut and more cut. Lives will be lost at sea, that is inevitable, but this will only result in many more lives being lost and many more saddened families mourning loved ones.

[quote][p][bold]marabout[/bold] wrote:
If the Portland base is axed, emergencies in Dorset will be attended by helicopters from Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire or Culdrose, Cornwall
Please,please Dorset Echo. If you are going to support the Oortland helicopter then you MUST get your facts correct. The SAR aircraft at Culdrose is also closing in 2016.[/p][/quote]Portland chopper going in 2017 - Culdrose chopper going in 2016 - this means that most of southern England will be serviced by one helicopter - Lee-On-Solent after 2017. Note I say most, not all. But for one or two helicopters to cover the whole of the south coast from Margate in the east to Penzance in the west, a total distance of 355 miles is disgusting. One or two emergency call-outs at the same time and we have nothing left to call upon.
I am not one to be open about doom and gloom, but I can see this service cut costing many many lives, both on land and at sea, but mostly at sea. At the moment, if I get into difficulties at sea in this area, I am certain that the Portland chopper will be there within maximum 15 minutes from when they are tasked, whereas, for the Lee-On-Solent chopper to get to say West Bay or Lyme Regis will take 35 minutes plus, just in flying time. Then the helicopter would only have very limited flying time remaining in fuel when it does get to the emergency. Can anyone tell me what the bingo time would be for the helicopter from Lee-On-Solent once it arrived on station at say Lyme Regis. These things have not been thought out properly by the powers that be, their only interest is cut, cut and more cut. Lives will be lost at sea, that is inevitable, but this will only result in many more lives being lost and many more saddened families mourning loved ones.Micke12

These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...

The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.

These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...
The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.Sally MacLennane

marabout wrote:
If the Portland base is axed, emergencies in Dorset will be attended by helicopters from Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire or Culdrose, Cornwall

Please,please Dorset Echo. If you are going to support the Oortland helicopter then you MUST get your facts correct. The SAR aircraft at Culdrose is also closing in 2016.

Portland chopper going in 2017 - Culdrose chopper going in 2016 - this means that most of southern England will be serviced by one helicopter - Lee-On-Solent after 2017. Note I say most, not all. But for one or two helicopters to cover the whole of the south coast from Margate in the east to Penzance in the west, a total distance of 355 miles is disgusting. One or two emergency call-outs at the same time and we have nothing left to call upon.

I am not one to be open about doom and gloom, but I can see this service cut costing many many lives, both on land and at sea, but mostly at sea. At the moment, if I get into difficulties at sea in this area, I am certain that the Portland chopper will be there within maximum 15 minutes from when they are tasked, whereas, for the Lee-On-Solent chopper to get to say West Bay or Lyme Regis will take 35 minutes plus, just in flying time. Then the helicopter would only have very limited flying time remaining in fuel when it does get to the emergency. Can anyone tell me what the bingo time would be for the helicopter from Lee-On-Solent once it arrived on station at say Lyme Regis. These things have not been thought out properly by the powers that be, their only interest is cut, cut and more cut. Lives will be lost at sea, that is inevitable, but this will only result in many more lives being lost and many more saddened families mourning loved ones.

No it doesn't. What about the other SAR helicopter bases you forgot to mention.

[quote][p][bold]Micke12[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]marabout[/bold] wrote:
If the Portland base is axed, emergencies in Dorset will be attended by helicopters from Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire or Culdrose, Cornwall
Please,please Dorset Echo. If you are going to support the Oortland helicopter then you MUST get your facts correct. The SAR aircraft at Culdrose is also closing in 2016.[/p][/quote]Portland chopper going in 2017 - Culdrose chopper going in 2016 - this means that most of southern England will be serviced by one helicopter - Lee-On-Solent after 2017. Note I say most, not all. But for one or two helicopters to cover the whole of the south coast from Margate in the east to Penzance in the west, a total distance of 355 miles is disgusting. One or two emergency call-outs at the same time and we have nothing left to call upon.
I am not one to be open about doom and gloom, but I can see this service cut costing many many lives, both on land and at sea, but mostly at sea. At the moment, if I get into difficulties at sea in this area, I am certain that the Portland chopper will be there within maximum 15 minutes from when they are tasked, whereas, for the Lee-On-Solent chopper to get to say West Bay or Lyme Regis will take 35 minutes plus, just in flying time. Then the helicopter would only have very limited flying time remaining in fuel when it does get to the emergency. Can anyone tell me what the bingo time would be for the helicopter from Lee-On-Solent once it arrived on station at say Lyme Regis. These things have not been thought out properly by the powers that be, their only interest is cut, cut and more cut. Lives will be lost at sea, that is inevitable, but this will only result in many more lives being lost and many more saddened families mourning loved ones.[/p][/quote]No it doesn't. What about the other SAR helicopter bases you forgot to mention.marabout

In the Mid-90's I was in the RAF based at the Air Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) Plymouth working out of Mount Wise. The range of operation was everything south of Birmingham which included SAR units at RAF St Athen, RNAS Culdrose, RAF Chivenor, RAF Wattisham with each having 2 helos. The bases of Portland and Lee on Solent were CG controlled.
Every summer we would be working on anything up to 10 rescues per day not including what the CG was doing.
A typical rescue of an injured Spanish fisherman 200 miles out which happened surprisingly often was R193 going up from Culdrose and refuelling at Scilly with R194 going up 30mins after to provide cover for R193 if it ditches. A Nimrod was always sent from RAF Kinloss in the North of Scotland to provide top cover. This type of rescue takes out 2 helos for a minimum of 2-3 hours but wasn't an issue as we had 2 helos each at St Athan and Chivenor providing cover for the rest of the South West.
So with Lee on solent covering the whole of the South of England with a couple of helicopters, you tell me how can the government say it won't be a problem.

In the Mid-90's I was in the RAF based at the Air Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) Plymouth working out of Mount Wise. The range of operation was everything south of Birmingham which included SAR units at RAF St Athen, RNAS Culdrose, RAF Chivenor, RAF Wattisham with each having 2 helos. The bases of Portland and Lee on Solent were CG controlled.
Every summer we would be working on anything up to 10 rescues per day not including what the CG was doing.
A typical rescue of an injured Spanish fisherman 200 miles out which happened surprisingly often was R193 going up from Culdrose and refuelling at Scilly with R194 going up 30mins after to provide cover for R193 if it ditches. A Nimrod was always sent from RAF Kinloss in the North of Scotland to provide top cover. This type of rescue takes out 2 helos for a minimum of 2-3 hours but wasn't an issue as we had 2 helos each at St Athan and Chivenor providing cover for the rest of the South West.
So with Lee on solent covering the whole of the South of England with a couple of helicopters, you tell me how can the government say it won't be a problem.BorisTheBold2

I still do not see how the DfT can claim cost savings by removing the Portland helo when, by their own admission, the on-going cost to the taxpayer of the inevitable additional fatalities would significantly outweigh any up-front savings. All they seem to do is claim that the reorganisation will reduce the overall average response time nationwide by a few minutes (at best) and that this is sufficient justification for making the cuts. Saving lives is not about average response times it is about fast response times.

I still do not see how the DfT can claim cost savings by removing the Portland helo when, by their own admission, the on-going cost to the taxpayer of the inevitable additional fatalities would significantly outweigh any up-front savings. All they seem to do is claim that the reorganisation will reduce the overall average response time nationwide by a few minutes (at best) and that this is sufficient justification for making the cuts. Saving lives is not about average response times it is about fast response times.Bob Goulding

It would be nice if the ECHO got their facts right, as yes Culdrose is closing, but Newquay will be the new SAR base. This means that there will be 2 bases in the south, BUT dhe Dft's claim that the helos will be faster and more modern is really incorrect.
The helo at Newquay will be a modern one as opposed the Sea King currentlyat Culdrose, but the new helo at Lee will be no more modern or faster than the helos already there and at Portland..
In fact if you look up the spec of the AW139 ( currently at portland and Lee), and the spec of the AW189 ( new helo) you will see that the new one is marginally slower than the current one. So basically the Dft are talking rubbish and trying to blind people with incorrect facts!

It would be nice if the ECHO got their facts right, as yes Culdrose is closing, but Newquay will be the new SAR base. This means that there will be 2 bases in the south, BUT dhe Dft's claim that the helos will be faster and more modern is really incorrect.
The helo at Newquay will be a modern one as opposed the Sea King currentlyat Culdrose, but the new helo at Lee will be no more modern or faster than the helos already there and at Portland..
In fact if you look up the spec of the AW139 ( currently at portland and Lee), and the spec of the AW189 ( new helo) you will see that the new one is marginally slower than the current one. So basically the Dft are talking rubbish and trying to blind people with incorrect facts!boondog

arlbergbahn wrote:
What i don't understand is, the Portland coastguard helicopter base is due to close in 2017. Surely no one believes that the Cameron Colation will still be in power by then, so surely the other lot who'll inevitably be in office by then could rescind the closure?

I think you will find that once a decision (to save money) has been made, then whoever's in government in 2015 will stand by that decision, no matter how much they promise beforehand.

[quote][p][bold]arlbergbahn[/bold] wrote:
What i don't understand is, the Portland coastguard helicopter base is due to close in 2017. Surely no one believes that the Cameron Colation will still be in power by then, so surely the other lot who'll inevitably be in office by then could rescind the closure?[/p][/quote]I think you will find that once a decision (to save money) has been made, then whoever's in government in 2015 will stand by that decision, no matter how much they promise beforehand.February1948

blue78 wrote:
I've seen these guys working all week, I could see that this was an accident waiting to happen!!

You do realise that under HSA rules if you see anything which is an obviously unsafe practice and fail to mention it then you could be contributing to any subsequent accident.

[quote][p][bold]blue78[/bold] wrote:
I've seen these guys working all week, I could see that this was an accident waiting to happen!![/p][/quote]You do realise that under HSA rules if you see anything which is an obviously unsafe practice and fail to mention it then you could be contributing to any subsequent accident.X Old Bill

I am completely behind the campaign to keep the Coastguard Rescue 106 at Portland.
The problem is that the powers-that-be have already decided that it should go and, unfortunately they have done so with the knowledge that some lives will be lost. This incident will not change their decision, simply because their decision is a calculated risk and any future incident where life IS lost is an expected and affordable loss in their eyes.

I am completely behind the campaign to keep the Coastguard Rescue 106 at Portland.
The problem is that the powers-that-be have already decided that it should go and, unfortunately they have done so with the knowledge that some lives will be lost. This incident will not change their decision, simply because their decision is a calculated risk and any future incident where life IS lost is an expected and affordable loss in their eyes.portlandboy

portlandboy wrote:
I am completely behind the campaign to keep the Coastguard Rescue 106 at Portland.
The problem is that the powers-that-be have already decided that it should go and, unfortunately they have done so with the knowledge that some lives will be lost. This incident will not change their decision, simply because their decision is a calculated risk and any future incident where life IS lost is an expected and affordable loss in their eyes.

And if the keep it here and take away a helicopter base from somewhere else, the same is true.

What makes Portland so important, other than it's because we live here?

The answer: Nothing.

IMBY....

[quote][p][bold]portlandboy[/bold] wrote:
I am completely behind the campaign to keep the Coastguard Rescue 106 at Portland.
The problem is that the powers-that-be have already decided that it should go and, unfortunately they have done so with the knowledge that some lives will be lost. This incident will not change their decision, simply because their decision is a calculated risk and any future incident where life IS lost is an expected and affordable loss in their eyes.[/p][/quote]And if the keep it here and take away a helicopter base from somewhere else, the same is true.
What makes Portland so important, other than it's because we live here?
The answer: Nothing.
IMBY....Sally MacLennane

boondog wrote:
It would be nice if the ECHO got their facts right, as yes Culdrose is closing, but Newquay will be the new SAR base. This means that there will be 2 bases in the south, BUT dhe Dft's claim that the helos will be faster and more modern is really incorrect.
The helo at Newquay will be a modern one as opposed the Sea King currentlyat Culdrose, but the new helo at Lee will be no more modern or faster than the helos already there and at Portland..
In fact if you look up the spec of the AW139 ( currently at portland and Lee), and the spec of the AW189 ( new helo) you will see that the new one is marginally slower than the current one. So basically the Dft are talking rubbish and trying to blind people with incorrect facts!

The new aircraft have identical speed performance figures although the AW189 fares better in warmer conditions and so during the summer months it will out perform it's older variant. Where the new AW189 wins is with its payload and endurance. The new aircraft out performs the older aircraft in every aspect ... It can fly further and rescue more people than he smaller current aircraft.

[quote][p][bold]boondog[/bold] wrote:
It would be nice if the ECHO got their facts right, as yes Culdrose is closing, but Newquay will be the new SAR base. This means that there will be 2 bases in the south, BUT dhe Dft's claim that the helos will be faster and more modern is really incorrect.
The helo at Newquay will be a modern one as opposed the Sea King currentlyat Culdrose, but the new helo at Lee will be no more modern or faster than the helos already there and at Portland..
In fact if you look up the spec of the AW139 ( currently at portland and Lee), and the spec of the AW189 ( new helo) you will see that the new one is marginally slower than the current one. So basically the Dft are talking rubbish and trying to blind people with incorrect facts![/p][/quote]The new aircraft have identical speed performance figures although the AW189 fares better in warmer conditions and so during the summer months it will out perform it's older variant. Where the new AW189 wins is with its payload and endurance. The new aircraft out performs the older aircraft in every aspect ... It can fly further and rescue more people than he smaller current aircraft.marabout

iMHO, Portland is a a strategic location on the south coast, with all the pleasure and work boats coming out of Poole, Weymouth and Bridport, together with the huge volumes of people utilising the south west coastal path, I think removing the Coastguard would be crazy! What price can you put on safety?

iMHO, Portland is a a strategic location on the south coast, with all the pleasure and work boats coming out of Poole, Weymouth and Bridport, together with the huge volumes of people utilising the south west coastal path, I think removing the Coastguard would be crazy! What price can you put on safety?dorsetj

dorsetj wrote:
iMHO, Portland is a a strategic location on the south coast, with all the pleasure and work boats coming out of Poole, Weymouth and Bridport, together with the huge volumes of people utilising the south west coastal path, I think removing the Coastguard would be crazy! What price can you put on safety?

Indeed, that is the question we should be given the answer to. The Government have decided that the service is to be axed based on a financial saving. That clearly means that they have put a maximum price on safety, after which life becomes less important than money.

[quote][p][bold]dorsetj[/bold] wrote:
iMHO, Portland is a a strategic location on the south coast, with all the pleasure and work boats coming out of Poole, Weymouth and Bridport, together with the huge volumes of people utilising the south west coastal path, I think removing the Coastguard would be crazy! What price can you put on safety?[/p][/quote]Indeed, that is the question we should be given the answer to. The Government have decided that the service is to be axed based on a financial saving. That clearly means that they have put a maximum price on safety, after which life becomes less important than money.portlandboy

Sally MacLennane wrote:
These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...

The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.

I could not agree more!

[quote][p][bold]Sally MacLennane[/bold] wrote:
These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...
The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.[/p][/quote]I could not agree more!cloton

Sally MacLennane wrote:
These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...

The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.

I could not agree more!

[quote][p][bold]Sally MacLennane[/bold] wrote:
These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...
The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.[/p][/quote]I could not agree more!cloton

Sally MacLennane wrote:
These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...

The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.

I could not agree more!

Yes it may be broke due to inefficiencies of our governments. But that should not mean that vital services like this are cut. I agree with dorsetj, this is a strategic point across a beautiful part of our country. I suggest that if the government needs to save money they should look internally at all their departments, and don't get me started on the MP's salaries and expense accounts. They are the only ones getting increases while everyone else has to cut back!

[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Sally MacLennane[/bold] wrote:
These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...
The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.[/p][/quote]I could not agree more![/p][/quote]Yes it may be broke due to inefficiencies of our governments. But that should not mean that vital services like this are cut. I agree with dorsetj, this is a strategic point across a beautiful part of our country. I suggest that if the government needs to save money they should look internally at all their departments, and don't get me started on the MP's salaries and expense accounts. They are the only ones getting increases while everyone else has to cut back!ewoods

Sally MacLennane wrote:
These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...

The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.

I could not agree more!

Yes it may be broke due to inefficiencies of our governments. But that should not mean that vital services like this are cut. I agree with dorsetj, this is a strategic point across a beautiful part of our country. I suggest that if the government needs to save money they should look internally at all their departments, and don't get me started on the MP's salaries and expense accounts. They are the only ones getting increases while everyone else has to cut back!

Well said ewoods

There is always outrage about spending cuts within the NHS, strikes about funding and pay freezes for the Fire Service and huge financial cutbacks within the Police service - how on earth can we continue to cut spending on these services - the services that protect us and keep us safe. Don't get me started on military cutbacks.

Funding for all of our emergency services should be boosted and ring-fenced, cash injected through quantitative easing could have been filtered through these channels - it would have put money back into the economy without using the banks and protected these valuable people, to whom many of us owe our lives!

We could also lower the level of support we offer to other countries, which would help.

[quote][p][bold]ewoods[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Sally MacLennane[/bold] wrote:
These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...
The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.[/p][/quote]I could not agree more![/p][/quote]Yes it may be broke due to inefficiencies of our governments. But that should not mean that vital services like this are cut. I agree with dorsetj, this is a strategic point across a beautiful part of our country. I suggest that if the government needs to save money they should look internally at all their departments, and don't get me started on the MP's salaries and expense accounts. They are the only ones getting increases while everyone else has to cut back![/p][/quote]Well said ewoods
There is always outrage about spending cuts within the NHS, strikes about funding and pay freezes for the Fire Service and huge financial cutbacks within the Police service - how on earth can we continue to cut spending on these services - the services that protect us and keep us safe. Don't get me started on military cutbacks.
Funding for all of our emergency services should be boosted and ring-fenced, cash injected through quantitative easing could have been filtered through these channels - it would have put money back into the economy without using the banks and protected these valuable people, to whom many of us owe our lives!
We could also lower the level of support we offer to other countries, which would help.dorsetj

Sally MacLennane wrote:
These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...

The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.

I could not agree more!

Yes it may be broke due to inefficiencies of our governments. But that should not mean that vital services like this are cut. I agree with dorsetj, this is a strategic point across a beautiful part of our country. I suggest that if the government needs to save money they should look internally at all their departments, and don't get me started on the MP's salaries and expense accounts. They are the only ones getting increases while everyone else has to cut back!

Well said ewoods

There is always outrage about spending cuts within the NHS, strikes about funding and pay freezes for the Fire Service and huge financial cutbacks within the Police service - how on earth can we continue to cut spending on these services - the services that protect us and keep us safe. Don't get me started on military cutbacks.

Funding for all of our emergency services should be boosted and ring-fenced, cash injected through quantitative easing could have been filtered through these channels - it would have put money back into the economy without using the banks and protected these valuable people, to whom many of us owe our lives!

We could also lower the level of support we offer to other countries, which would help.

Cloton... you are saying savings need to be made but as stated in the article who knows what may have happened to this person if the helicopter didn't get there as fast as had to travel from further away. So what would you prefer? saving lifes or saving money. Its an easy choice for me.

[quote][p][bold]dorsetj[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ewoods[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Sally MacLennane[/bold] wrote:
These news stories about why we should save the Portland helicopter are now all starting to sound laughably desperate...
The sad fact is, our country is broke due to decades of inefficiency and overspending, there is no money and cost savings need to be made.[/p][/quote]I could not agree more![/p][/quote]Yes it may be broke due to inefficiencies of our governments. But that should not mean that vital services like this are cut. I agree with dorsetj, this is a strategic point across a beautiful part of our country. I suggest that if the government needs to save money they should look internally at all their departments, and don't get me started on the MP's salaries and expense accounts. They are the only ones getting increases while everyone else has to cut back![/p][/quote]Well said ewoods
There is always outrage about spending cuts within the NHS, strikes about funding and pay freezes for the Fire Service and huge financial cutbacks within the Police service - how on earth can we continue to cut spending on these services - the services that protect us and keep us safe. Don't get me started on military cutbacks.
Funding for all of our emergency services should be boosted and ring-fenced, cash injected through quantitative easing could have been filtered through these channels - it would have put money back into the economy without using the banks and protected these valuable people, to whom many of us owe our lives!
We could also lower the level of support we offer to other countries, which would help.[/p][/quote]Cloton... you are saying savings need to be made but as stated in the article who knows what may have happened to this person if the helicopter didn't get there as fast as had to travel from further away. So what would you prefer? saving lifes or saving money. Its an easy choice for me.nknights

portlandboy wrote:
I am completely behind the campaign to keep the Coastguard Rescue 106 at Portland.
The problem is that the powers-that-be have already decided that it should go and, unfortunately they have done so with the knowledge that some lives will be lost. This incident will not change their decision, simply because their decision is a calculated risk and any future incident where life IS lost is an expected and affordable loss in their eyes.

Life being lost is affordable in their eyes? To even read that breaks my heart. They need to realise what they are doing is the wrong decision!
This incident proves why we need it and yet they see it as an affordable loss.

[quote][p][bold]portlandboy[/bold] wrote:
I am completely behind the campaign to keep the Coastguard Rescue 106 at Portland.
The problem is that the powers-that-be have already decided that it should go and, unfortunately they have done so with the knowledge that some lives will be lost. This incident will not change their decision, simply because their decision is a calculated risk and any future incident where life IS lost is an expected and affordable loss in their eyes.[/p][/quote]Life being lost is affordable in their eyes? To even read that breaks my heart. They need to realise what they are doing is the wrong decision!
This incident proves why we need it and yet they see it as an affordable loss.nknights

"A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list

"A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the listnknights

nknights wrote:
&quot;A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list

Absolutely nknights, you can also add my name to the petition.

[quote][p][bold]nknights[/bold] wrote:
"A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list[/p][/quote]Absolutely nknights, you can also add my name to the petition.ewoods

cloton wrote:
Nknights I think you are thinking more &quot;if that happens" rather than realistically.......

.............

well I think we can quite clearly we can does happen considering the above story!

[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
Nknights I think you are thinking more "if that happens" rather than realistically.......
.............[/p][/quote]well I think we can quite clearly we can does happen considering the above story!nknights

nknights wrote:
&quot;A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list

I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....

[quote][p][bold]nknights[/bold] wrote:
"A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list[/p][/quote]I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....cloton

nknights wrote:
&quot;A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list

I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....

[quote][p][bold]nknights[/bold] wrote:
"A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list[/p][/quote]I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....cloton

nknights wrote:
&quot;A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list

I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....

[quote][p][bold]nknights[/bold] wrote:
"A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list[/p][/quote]I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....cloton

nknights wrote:
&quot;A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list

I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....

A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision.
This is stated from the article above. No extra figures were added. Maybe you should do some more 'investigating' before writing such comments

[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]nknights[/bold] wrote:
"A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list[/p][/quote]I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....[/p][/quote]A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision.
This is stated from the article above. No extra figures were added. Maybe you should do some more 'investigating' before writing such commentsnknights

topsy2 wrote:
As a Portlander now resident in the North of England for several years, I find it sad that the helicopter will eventually be withdrawn. It has real value in its current location and I suspect this will only be fully realised once it has gone and something disastrous happens, what a huge mistake it will have been to get rid of it. Talking of helipcopters, I can't help thinking back growing up in the 1970's listening to the Naval helicopters, the Wasps and the Sea Kings flying all hours of the night and the old Wessex helicopters carrying out search and rescue duties. Sad so much has gone. So called progress and cost cutting apparently.

I am also a Portlander and i couldn't agree more with you topsy2 i miss listening to the Naval helicopters through out the WW2...

[quote][p][bold]topsy2[/bold] wrote:
As a Portlander now resident in the North of England for several years, I find it sad that the helicopter will eventually be withdrawn. It has real value in its current location and I suspect this will only be fully realised once it has gone and something disastrous happens, what a huge mistake it will have been to get rid of it. Talking of helipcopters, I can't help thinking back growing up in the 1970's listening to the Naval helicopters, the Wasps and the Sea Kings flying all hours of the night and the old Wessex helicopters carrying out search and rescue duties. Sad so much has gone. So called progress and cost cutting apparently.[/p][/quote]I am also a Portlander and i couldn't agree more with you topsy2 i miss listening to the Naval helicopters through out the WW2...cloton

nknights wrote:
&quot;A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list

I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....

and mine!!

[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]nknights[/bold] wrote:
"A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list[/p][/quote]I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....[/p][/quote]and mine!!dorsetj

cloton wrote:
More to the point............... HOW DID HE GET IN THE WATER

Yes this is a good point! he obviously fell with his digger but what were hey doing that had to be the close to even fall in the first place!?!?!

[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
More to the point............... HOW DID HE GET IN THE WATER[/p][/quote]Yes this is a good point! he obviously fell with his digger but what were hey doing that had to be the close to even fall in the first place!?!?!nknights

cloton wrote:
A digger awareness cause is most defiantly in need here.....

Yes, although I totally disagree with getting rid of the local coastguard helicopters to save money. I think, if it goes ahead, they may need to invest just a little of that saved money for courses for the digger drivers so that no one works this close to water again!

[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
A digger awareness cause is most defiantly in need here.....[/p][/quote]Yes, although I totally disagree with getting rid of the local coastguard helicopters to save money. I think, if it goes ahead, they may need to invest just a little of that saved money for courses for the digger drivers so that no one works this close to water again!nknights

cloton wrote:
A digger awareness cause is most defiantly in need here.....

Yes, although I totally disagree with getting rid of the local coastguard helicopters to save money. I think, if it goes ahead, they may need to invest just a little of that saved money for courses for the digger drivers so that no one works this close to water again!

[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
A digger awareness cause is most defiantly in need here.....[/p][/quote]Yes, although I totally disagree with getting rid of the local coastguard helicopters to save money. I think, if it goes ahead, they may need to invest just a little of that saved money for courses for the digger drivers so that no one works this close to water again!nknights

nknights wrote:
"A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list

I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....

A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision.
This is stated from the article above. No extra figures were added. Maybe you should do some more 'investigating' before writing such comments

above^

[quote][p][bold]nknights[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]nknights[/bold] wrote:
"A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision."
....And there would be even more now! you can add my name to the list[/p][/quote]I belive you added an extra "0" on to this figure nknights, with all due respect I have investigated and I feel there is a slight exaggeration going on here....[/p][/quote]A petition of more than 100,000 signatures was handed to parliament last month demanding that the Government reverse its decision.
This is stated from the article above. No extra figures were added. Maybe you should do some more 'investigating' before writing such comments[/p][/quote]above^nknights

cloton wrote:
A digger awareness cause is most defiantly in need here.....

Yes, although I totally disagree with getting rid of the local coastguard helicopters to save money. I think, if it goes ahead, they may need to invest just a little of that saved money for courses for the digger drivers so that no one works this close to water again!

That 5 ton slew was of hired on Friday night and there for was being used without permision and operated by by an inexperienced operator hope the guy gets well soon machine is a total write,off

[quote][p][bold]nknights[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]cloton[/bold] wrote:
A digger awareness cause is most defiantly in need here.....[/p][/quote]Yes, although I totally disagree with getting rid of the local coastguard helicopters to save money. I think, if it goes ahead, they may need to invest just a little of that saved money for courses for the digger drivers so that no one works this close to water again![/p][/quote]That 5 ton slew was of hired on Friday night and there for was being used without permision and operated by by an inexperienced operator hope the guy gets well soon machine is a total write,offminesascotch